visible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "visible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that can be seen or is apparent in a given context. Example: "The stars were clearly visible in the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Opinion

Arts

Education

Sport

Tech

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Authorities said Morrison fired when Ramirez made a downward movement with his hands after Morrison ordered him to keep his hands visible.

The Guardian

It is the lack of reorders pre-Christmas that makes the profit shortfall visible now - rather than a wave of returns," he said.

The Guardian - Business

This is estate-agent speak for "visible signs of poverty nearby" ��� and it is accompanied by the tacit assumption that in a few years' time the area will be completely gentrified.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Jan Tilley, a final-year English student at the University of Leeds, struggled with excessive hair and acne due to the condition, and found that the visible signs disrupted her day-to-day life: "I felt insecure when I first found out, and it affected my confidence.

The Guardian

In many ways brain injury is a silent epidemic; its effects are not always visible and cannot be communicated easily.

The Guardian

Mulligan's conviction that she could succeed as a performer resulted in an introduction to a casting director through Fellowes and then – to her family's surprise – a small but visible part in the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, playing the "silly" fourth Bennet sister, Kitty.

The Guardian - Film

Encrusted with mosaics and inlaid with gold, it is the most visible (and audible) sign of the frenzied building boom that has taken hold of Saudi Arabia's holy city over the last 10 years.

The Guardian - Arts

"[It] ought to be encouraged to be more publicly visible both in terms of encouraging people to use it and, where meaningful claims have been made, to actually publicise those findings," he said.

The Guardian

Or put another way, how does Labor make visible and valued what is currently hidden and undervalued?

The Guardian

Their emotion was visible on their faces when they walked on stage after Romney finished his remarks, which Romney had hastily composed, knowing he had to say something.

The Guardian

He said people should be allowed to "wear what the devil they like in public", but giving evidence in court required the full face to be visible at least to the judge and jury, but not necessarily to others.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts, use "visible" to denote clarity or obviousness. For example: "The impact of the policy change was clearly visible in the quarterly reports."

Common error

Avoid using "visible" to describe something that is felt or understood internally, rather than observed externally. Instead of saying 'His anger was visible', opt for 'His anger was apparent' or 'His anger was palpable'.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "visible" primarily functions to describe something that is capable of being seen. Ludwig provides examples where "visible" is used to denote something that is not hidden or is easily noticeable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Travel

10%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Arts

8%

Education

6%

Sport

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "visible" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that is capable of being seen or easily noticed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It appears frequently in various contexts, including news, travel, and opinion pieces, making it a highly prevalent term in both formal and informal communication. While "visible" is generally straightforward, paying attention to its specific nuance in abstract contexts can enhance clarity and precision in writing. Alternatives like "noticeable" or "apparent" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noticeable

Focuses on attracting attention or being easily observed.

perceptible

Emphasizes being noticed through the senses, not just sight.

observable

Indicates that something can be watched and studied.

discernible

Highlights the ability to distinguish or recognize something.

apparent

Suggests something is clear and easily understood.

in plain sight

Highlights the ease of finding something because it's not hidden.

on display

Implies something is intentionally shown.

unhidden

Simple negation of being hidden, therefore able to be seen.

exposed

Conveys vulnerability or lack of protection, and therefore also visible.

detectable

Focuses on the ability to discover something, implying it can be seen.

FAQs

How can I use "visible" in a sentence?

Use "visible" to describe something that can be seen or is apparent. For example: "The stars were clearly visible in the night sky" or "The improvements in her work ethic were becoming increasingly visible".

What can I say instead of "visible"?

You can use alternatives like "noticeable", "apparent", or "observable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "visibly clear"? Is that redundant?

While "visibly clear" isn't strictly incorrect, it can be seen as somewhat redundant, as "visible" already implies clarity in terms of sight. Consider using just "clear" or a more descriptive phrase to enhance your writing.

What's the difference between "visible" and "seeable"?

"Visible" is more commonly used and sounds more natural in most contexts. "Seeable" is a less frequent and slightly more formal alternative, essentially meaning the same thing: able to be seen.